The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-06-23
oEet Us Have peass.n

in the matter, wholly
30 as to the origin of the unfort unate
though not necessarily unpatriotic or
treason biased order. Certainly no
one truly loyal to the flag under whose
folds the North and South should be
interested in the develop
ment, progress and defense of our
common country, will regret the day
when INSCRIPTIONS partisans will find
no response in appealing to sectional
and peace, instead of sec
tional animosity, shall be inscribed
upon the ensign of political apostles
and party organizations. Time and
enlightened patriotism will most cer-
tainly bring about this desirable state
of affairs, and heal the wounds of the
past, which too long have been kept
by the political demagogs
and quacks who seek to apply irritants
rather than oil. AS regards this order,
which the Republican press and lead
ers are so industriously parading as q
tocsin of war. and insult to the living
and the memory of the fallen brave
boys in blue, the following summary
sets the matter in its true light:
HOW THE ORDER WAS GIVEN.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. June 1.-THE
official record of the presentation of
the battle flag proposition to the Pres
- f,,1I In. lofk
from Adjutant Drum and its indorse-
ment by Secretary Endicott:
WAR DEPARTMENT
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE,
WASHINGTON ID. s., April 80, 1887. J
Hon William C, Endicott. Secretary of War:
SIR: L have the honor to state that
there are now in this Office (stOred in
one of the attic rooms of the buiidfng)
a number of Union flags captured in
action, hut recovered on the fall of the
Confederacy and forwarded to the war
department. for safe keeping, together
with q number If Confederate flags,
which the fortunes of war rlaced in
our hands during the late civil war.
While in the past favorable action
has always been taken on application,
properly supported. for the return of
Union flags to organizations represent
ing survivors of the military regi-
ments in the service of the govern
ment, beg to submit that it would
be graceful act to anticipate future
requests of this nature. and venture
to suggest the propriety of returning
the flags (Union and Confederate) to
the authorities of the various States
in which the regiments which bore
4 y low nj
final disposition as they may deter.
mine.
While in all other civilized nations
of the old world trophi- 8 taken in wars
against foreign enemies have been
carefully preserved and exhibited as
proud mementoes of the. nations mil
itary glories, wise an5 obvious reasons
have always excepted from the rule
evidences of past internecine treubfes
which, by appeals to the arbitration OF
the sword, have disturbed the peaceful
march of a people 10 its destiny.
Over twenty years have elapsed
since tie termination of the late civi
war Many of the prominent leaders
civil and military, of the late CoDfed
crate States are now honared repre-
sentatives of the people in the nation
al councils, or in other eminent posi-
tious lend the ala of their talents. tt
the wise administration of the affairs
of the whole country, and the people
of the several States composing th'
union are now united, treadlng th'
broader road to O glorious future.
Impressed with these facts, ] hav,
the honor to submit the suggestion
made in this letter for the careful con
sideration it will receive at your hands
Very truly yours,
r Z Drum, Adjutant General.
The Endorsement of the Secretary o
War upon this letter is as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT. May 26, 1887.
The within recommend datiOn is ap
proved by the President, and the Ad
jutant General will prepare letters t.
the Governors of those States who's
troops carried the colors and flags nov
in this department., with the offer t.
return them as herein proposed. tn
history of each flag and the circum
stances of capture or recapture to b
given. WILLIAM G. ENDICOTr.
| Secretary of War.
The following letter to the Secreta1.
of War taps the inflated balloon of Sc
cession which the enemies of the ad
ministratien were about to cut loose
as an omen of destruction, involving
the loss of the dearly bought result
of the war, and the prestige of victor.
achieved by those battling for an in
dissoluble union, which alike concern
men of all parties and sections of ou
country:
! EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. c., June Is, 1887.
To the Secretary of War:
| 1 have today considered with NOR
care than when the subject was orall,
| presented me, the action of your De
| partment directing letters 10 be ad
dressed to the Governors of all tn
States, offering to return. if desired
to the loyal States, the Union flag
captured in the war Of the rebellion
by the Confederate forces and after
ward recovered by Government troops
and to the Confederate States the flag
captured by the Union forces, all Q
| which, for many years, have beel
packed in boxes and stored in the Gel
lar and attic of the War Department
Lam of the opinion that the return @
these flags in the manner thus con
templated is not authorized by exist
ing law, nor justified as an Executiv
act. I request, therefore, that no fur
ther steps be taken in the matter, eX
cept to examine and inventory thes
flags and adopt proper measures 70
their preservation, Any direction a
to the final disposition of them shoul,
originate with Congress.
| Yours truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The following dispatches from lead
ing men and officials of the South
are undoubtedly the reflex of South
ern sentiment and feeling in general
CHICAGO, June 17.-Gen. T. L. Ros
ser, of Virginia. who is in this city
on being questioned in regard to tn
proposition to return the "rebel flags,
said: 1" What in Gods name do W
| want them returned for? What viii
we do with them? The South doe
not want them. Virginia does no
desire hers, if there are any. I say
let's send all those relics of that " un
pleasantness to Washington, an
make a big bonfire of them. We shoul
| oufIivo thOsa factiOpal ideas and fp